Journalist Lowlife
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Journalist Lowlife
I am sure that it will shock most of you to know that the first Kim Murton (wife of Bill, killed in the Firefly crash) knew of the accident was when a journalist rang her to ask for confirmation that her husband was dead. You may imagine the effect this has had on her, although she is a strong and resilient woman.
There is a significant band of Naval aviators, both serving and retired who would be very grateful to know the identity of this beacon of journalistic thoroughness and integrity. Better still, of course, would be if he would be kind enough to identify himself. After all, he must be proud of his 'scoop'.
Help gratefully received.
Thanks all.
There is a significant band of Naval aviators, both serving and retired who would be very grateful to know the identity of this beacon of journalistic thoroughness and integrity. Better still, of course, would be if he would be kind enough to identify himself. After all, he must be proud of his 'scoop'.
Help gratefully received.
Thanks all.
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pope
above all noted, and agreed with 200%.
After my double take of your headline, could I please add the following to avoid any further near heart failures to pruners who know 'lowlife'.
Please read as the lowlife journlist.
pope again, sorry, no attempt at all made to dilute the disgust we all feel on matters such as these.
Bored
After my double take of your headline, could I please add the following to avoid any further near heart failures to pruners who know 'lowlife'.
Please read as the lowlife journlist.
pope again, sorry, no attempt at all made to dilute the disgust we all feel on matters such as these.
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The words I have to describe the actions of this despicable journalist are not allowed on here. How on earth dis he have the gall to phone her at all? Obviously couldn't have cared less about the absolute hell he delivered to Mrs Murton at that very moment.
I would willingly give the s@it a kick in the balls to forever remind him of his complete lack of respect and utter loss of common sense.
B@rstard!
Edited for contact error.
I would willingly give the s@it a kick in the balls to forever remind him of his complete lack of respect and utter loss of common sense.
B@rstard!
Edited for contact error.
Last edited by TomPierce; 24th Jul 2003 at 18:41.
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I hope I have taken sufficient care in my choice of words, and sincerely not wishing to detract from the serious point of this post, 
but how was it possible for this journalist not only to confirm the name of the crew, but also find out their telephone number, before anyone at Yeovilton could contact the bereaved?
but how was it possible for this journalist not only to confirm the name of the crew, but also find out their telephone number, before anyone at Yeovilton could contact the bereaved?
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Apparently he knew Historics and because he was there at Duxford and saw Bill and Neil crash he thought it would be a good idea to phone Mrs Murton in advance. Couldn't agree more with your comments, some people have no standards. Perhaps he needs to be taught some?
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Thanks Tbird, I expected the RNAS procedure to be pretty slick.
I was watching the recent Airbase series over the weekend(video'd), and recall the comments of the lady Ops Officer (Sqn Ldr?)whose husband was flying "in the gulf" saying that she would probably be the first at Lineham to hear if anything tragic happened to him. A sobering thought.
I was watching the recent Airbase series over the weekend(video'd), and recall the comments of the lady Ops Officer (Sqn Ldr?)whose husband was flying "in the gulf" saying that she would probably be the first at Lineham to hear if anything tragic happened to him. A sobering thought.
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Pope Gregory IX
Suggest you start by requesting from the organiser a list of the accredited journalists at the event. After that you might contact the historic and other specialist magazines/web sites not on the first list. Next I'd talk to the local newspapers in the family's area.
Approach the editor of each title by letter and follow-up with a phone call. Assuming everyone is straight with you, you will probably find the person involved.
Also, if you talk to the phone company it may be possible to track the originating phone number. You will have to put a very clear and concise case to the phone company as to why this information should be released to you. It will help if you appoint a legal representative to make this request. Try to narrow down the exact time, duration and date of the call before you start.
There are specific media guidelines on approaching relatives, though none of the laws in this area appear to have been broken. This lack of illegality will not help your request to the phone company, but it's worth a try.
Newswatcher - to answer your question, this is standard stuff to any well connected journalist who knows his subject material. Indeed, that fact may help narrow your search, Pope Gregory IX.
No timings are mentioned, but it is just possible the journalist believed relatives had already been informed. Confirmation of death is, generally speaking, information only available to journalists from close relatives.
Hope this helps
Condolences
Dan Coughlan
PS: Have since read up a little more on the circumstances. Would further suggest the Navy press office should be able to assist with the above. If not, there's nothing to stop you as an individual making such enquiries with a view to making a representation to the Press Complaints Commission (PPC) and/or the journalist's employer/commissioning editor.
Normal procedure should have seen the journalist first contact the duty press officer of the Navy or MoD. I would therefore also make enquiries of them to see if they were contacted and, if so, by whom?
PPS: The PCC can only deal with print media. If the journalist was working for a broadcast media, such as a radio station, you need to speak to the Broadcasting Standards Commission.
Point five of the PCC’s Code of Practice says:
Intrusion into grief or shock
"In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries must be carried out and approaches made with sympathy and discretion."
A too rapid approach might be considered to be in breach of the Code, especially if the Navy or the MoD were not contacted first.
Be aware complaints must usually be made within one month, and that you will need the written permission of the spouse in order to make a complaint on their behalf. Those indirectly connected cannot complain to the PCC.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
Approach the editor of each title by letter and follow-up with a phone call. Assuming everyone is straight with you, you will probably find the person involved.
Also, if you talk to the phone company it may be possible to track the originating phone number. You will have to put a very clear and concise case to the phone company as to why this information should be released to you. It will help if you appoint a legal representative to make this request. Try to narrow down the exact time, duration and date of the call before you start.
There are specific media guidelines on approaching relatives, though none of the laws in this area appear to have been broken. This lack of illegality will not help your request to the phone company, but it's worth a try.
Newswatcher - to answer your question, this is standard stuff to any well connected journalist who knows his subject material. Indeed, that fact may help narrow your search, Pope Gregory IX.
No timings are mentioned, but it is just possible the journalist believed relatives had already been informed. Confirmation of death is, generally speaking, information only available to journalists from close relatives.
Hope this helps
Condolences
Dan Coughlan
PS: Have since read up a little more on the circumstances. Would further suggest the Navy press office should be able to assist with the above. If not, there's nothing to stop you as an individual making such enquiries with a view to making a representation to the Press Complaints Commission (PPC) and/or the journalist's employer/commissioning editor.
Normal procedure should have seen the journalist first contact the duty press officer of the Navy or MoD. I would therefore also make enquiries of them to see if they were contacted and, if so, by whom?
PPS: The PCC can only deal with print media. If the journalist was working for a broadcast media, such as a radio station, you need to speak to the Broadcasting Standards Commission.
Point five of the PCC’s Code of Practice says:
Intrusion into grief or shock
"In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries must be carried out and approaches made with sympathy and discretion."
A too rapid approach might be considered to be in breach of the Code, especially if the Navy or the MoD were not contacted first.
Be aware complaints must usually be made within one month, and that you will need the written permission of the spouse in order to make a complaint on their behalf. Those indirectly connected cannot complain to the PCC.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
Last edited by Dantruck; 24th Jul 2003 at 21:11.
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I hope you are sure of your facts. I have been on the wrong side of a similar accusation following a fatal RAF crash.
I called to ask for a telephone interview with the Squadron/Station CO, the request was turned down. Despite the friendliness of my tone, expression of condolence and immediate acceptance of the decision not to put someone up for interview - my phone call was reported to another RAF Officer as aggresive and insensitive.
As it happened the seond officer was a close friend of mine, who reported the remarks to me.
Ordinarily of course, I would never have heard this unfair description of the phone call.
I have never challeneged the person in question, so I suppose another story of a journalist lowlife is still doing the rounds.
I am certainly not suggesting that Mrs Murton would have made up any such story - but that chinese whispers may have exaggerated the truth.
As you are taking the rather extreme step of virtually promising to 'sort out' this journo - you better check his side of the story first.
I called to ask for a telephone interview with the Squadron/Station CO, the request was turned down. Despite the friendliness of my tone, expression of condolence and immediate acceptance of the decision not to put someone up for interview - my phone call was reported to another RAF Officer as aggresive and insensitive.
As it happened the seond officer was a close friend of mine, who reported the remarks to me.
Ordinarily of course, I would never have heard this unfair description of the phone call.
I have never challeneged the person in question, so I suppose another story of a journalist lowlife is still doing the rounds.
I am certainly not suggesting that Mrs Murton would have made up any such story - but that chinese whispers may have exaggerated the truth.
As you are taking the rather extreme step of virtually promising to 'sort out' this journo - you better check his side of the story first.
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The Junglies are a tight community - chinese whispers do not exist when the subject is of such severity, as is in this case.
I daresay we will listen to his side of the story if he ever has the minerals to own up to what he did.
I daresay we will listen to his side of the story if he ever has the minerals to own up to what he did.
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If true, I heartily condemn this person.
However, to quote jockspice:
QUOTE]I daresay we will listen to his side of the story if he ever has the minerals to own up to what he did.[/QUOTE]
I can understand jockspice's feelings, but he has already decided that the journo is guilty. Hardly fair, since none of us on this thread know the true story. And having been a media journo, I know how reality can be misquoted and twisted.
Nevertheless, if the events as reported actually happened, he (?) should be shunned by every editor.
However, to quote jockspice:
QUOTE]I daresay we will listen to his side of the story if he ever has the minerals to own up to what he did.[/QUOTE]
I can understand jockspice's feelings, but he has already decided that the journo is guilty. Hardly fair, since none of us on this thread know the true story. And having been a media journo, I know how reality can be misquoted and twisted.
Nevertheless, if the events as reported actually happened, he (?) should be shunned by every editor.
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Unfortunately, misquoting and twisting the facts is stock in trade for most journos (unless it is the editors who do it!). I would not therefore give too much credance to this one's side of the story.
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lukeafb1
I am afraid you are quite incorrect. I would, for one, gladly listen to the reasoning behind what he did - its just that the longer that one waits for such an explanation, the less forgiving one may be.
I am afraid you are quite incorrect. I would, for one, gladly listen to the reasoning behind what he did - its just that the longer that one waits for such an explanation, the less forgiving one may be.
Perhaps we'd give your wild and hysterical ramblings a touch more credence were you able to spell the word, Soddim. 
"Unfortunately, misquoting and twisting the facts is stock in trade for most journos".
Just as stupid and groundless stereotyping of civvies is the stock in trade for most military personnel, I take it?
Don't be so silly.
"Unfortunately, misquoting and twisting the facts is stock in trade for most journos".
Just as stupid and groundless stereotyping of civvies is the stock in trade for most military personnel, I take it?
Don't be so silly.
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Dantruck
Sorry for being rabid anti- journo, didn’t realize he was likely to come forward – what have you been smoking?
Jackonicko
Sorry for upsetting you with my “wild and hysterical ramblings” but I’ll spell my name however I wish – I assume you enjoy the same privilege.
Sorry for being rabid anti- journo, didn’t realize he was likely to come forward – what have you been smoking?
Jackonicko
Sorry for upsetting you with my “wild and hysterical ramblings” but I’ll spell my name however I wish – I assume you enjoy the same privilege.
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Jacko, at the risk of being boring, thankyou for your spelling lesson, now why don't you look beyond the trivia and use your journo skills to report accurately on something more meaningful - or would that be a disgrace to your dubious profession?
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soddim
If you will trouble yourself to read from the start you will note Pope Gregory IX is asking for help.
Some of us are trying to give it to him...
How about you?
Dantruck
PS: Thanks...I don't smoke, but I could be made to fume.
Some of us are trying to give it to him...
How about you?
Dantruck
PS: Thanks...I don't smoke, but I could be made to fume.